Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the reclaiming of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated over eight nights, where a candle is lit to commemorate the miracle that lasted eight days. On the first night of Hanukkah, family and friends gather to light the first candle on the Menorah, the ceremonial candelabrum. As with any holiday, there are different customs based on family and community traditions. So, which candle do you light on the first night of Hanukkah?
According to Jewish tradition, the menorah should be lit from the center candle, the Shamash, which is usually placed higher or apart from the other eight candles. On the first night, the Shamash is first lit and used to light the first candle, leaving the remaining seven to be lit in subsequent nights. On each of the subsequent nights, an additional candle is lit in succession from right to left, each memorializing a single day. The final candle, the eighth candle, is lit on the last night of Hanukkah. At the close of the holiday, the first candle, and each candle after, is then also extinguished from left to right.
In Ashkenazi tradition, the candles are lit with a specific blessing -atah b’rachot leyloht Hanukkah. On the first night, a special additional blessing is recited, Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah (“Blessed are you, Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who sanctified us with mitzvot and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah”).
In addition to the traditional method of lighting the menorah candles, the hannukkiyah can also be lit with a set of pre-lit Hanukkah candles. This makes it easier for those hosting a Hanukkah celebration or gathering to set up the candles in advance, allowing for lighting the candles without the hassle of purchasing separate ones.
No matter which method is used, lighting the first candle on the Menorah is a special moment for the lighting of the Hanukkah holiday. Since the same blessing is used for all eight nights, it is especially important to ensure that the blessing is said correctly and with the appropriate meaning. Even if done in a family or community gathering, this moment marks the start of a beautiful and special holiday, so it is important to pay attention to detail and recognize its importance.
While the question of which candle to light first on Hanukkah is easily answered, the celebration of the holiday goes beyond the lighting of the candles. The customs and traditions of Hanukkah bring us together as a community to celebrate the Festival of Lights and its ability to unite and bring hope and joy to our lives.
Related Products:
- What Candle Do You Light On The First Day Of Hanukkah?
- When Do You Light First Hanukkah Candle?
- When Do You Light The First Hanukkah Candle?
- How Many Candles Do You Light The First Night Of Hanukkah?
- How Many Candles Do You Light On The First Night Of Hanukkah?
- What Candle Do You Light First For Hanukkah?
- Which Candle Do You Light First On Hanukkah?
- Which Hanukkah Candle Do You Light First?
- When Do You Light The First Candle For Hanukkah?
- When Do You Light The First Candle For Hanukkah This Year?
- How Do You Light A Hanukkah Menorah?
- What Day Do You Light The First Hanukkah Candle?
- What Do You Do On The First Night Of Hanukkah?
- How Do You Light The Candles For Hanukkah?
- What Do You Say When You Light The Hanukkah Candles?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.